TERRORISM FINANCE: NOMINATION PROCEDURES FOR

S E C R E T PARIS 005732 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS STATE FOR EB/ECS/TFS, EUR/WE E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2016 TAGS: KTFN EFIN PTER PREL ETTC FR SUBJECT: TERRORISM FINANCE: NOMINATION PROCEDURES FOR ADDITIONAL CANDIDATES TO TRANCHE II OF THE RADICAL IDEOLOGUE INITIATIVE REF: SECSTATE 135332 Classified By: CDA Josiah Rosenblatt, Reasons 1.4 b and d ¶1. (U) This is an action request, see paragraph 5. ¶2. (S/NF) TFCO held a meeting among relevant agencies at post on August 22 to reach agreement on internal procedures for nominating additional candidates for the second phase of the radical ideologue initiative (reftel). No names were suggested in an initial canvassing among agencies, but we will work to cross-reference published lists and internal databases. In addition, our Press Office is combing through publicly available sources for any relevant speeches, inflammatory websites, published articles, or reports of media appearances that would serve to identify and provide examples of any prominent inciters, facilitators or individuals who provide material or ideological support to Al Qaida, UBL or the Taliban. We expect this to be a labor-intensive task, but we will make this one of our highest priorities. ¶3. (S/NF) Reftel raises a few questions of concern. One question concerns the parameters of our effort. As a practical matter, it is not clear whether we should limit the area of search to people born in France, to those of current French nationality, or to those of any nationality providing relevant support while in France at any given time period but who now may reside elsewhere. ¶4. (S/NF) We also have a serious concern about not informing or consulting with the French, which we understand for the moment is to be our modus operandi. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council and therefore a founding member of the 1267 Committee, France is a natural partner in working to better define the scope of possible targets. The French have long been one of our strongest allies in counter-terrorism activities, thanks in part to their well-developed investigative and intelligence services. This initiative would almost certainly be better informed by their expertise. We also run the risk of accidentally interfering in internal French investigations, and of being misled by any possible &support8 activities actually set up as sting operations by the French authorities. If the USG has informed other EU allies of this initiative, the French may well learn of it from other sources. It is widely known that the USG is making a vigorous effort to combat terrorists; from our perspective in the field, we see little reason to attempt to hide that fact from the French Government. We strongly recommend being allowed to inform the GOF of this initiative, and work with them to develop our broader concept of the 1267 committee,s responsibilities, thereby bringing them into the process of targeting individuals or groups that fall under this initiative. ¶5. (S/NF) ACTION REQUESTED: Post requests clarification of the search parameters, and guidance on whether we can inform and work with the GOF in furtherance of the initiative. ROSENBLATT# Please visit Paris' Classified Website at: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm Rosenblatt